This blog is dedicated to bringing World War II era documents to the general public, with an overall focus on armoured warfare.
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Wednesday, 3 August 2016

400 mm KV-1

Remember this project to install a 400 mm mortar on a KV-1S tank? Turns out that GABTU received it, but their reaction wasn't exactly positive.

"To director of factory #92, comrade Elyan

In response to letter #202/4571

RE: 400 mm self propelled mortar

Here are the characteristics of KV tanks you requested:

KV-1 tank mod. 1941:

Total mass: 46,000 kg

Mass of the turret with gun and ammunition: 7277 kg

KV-1 tank mod. 1942

Total mass: 48,500-50,000 kg

Mass of the turret with gun and ammunition (75 mm welded): 7770 kg

Mass of the turret with gun and ammunition (110 mm cast): 8700 kg

KV-1S tank

Total mass: 42,500 kg

Mass of the turret with gun and ammunition: 7204 kg

KV-1 tank ground contact surface: 4400 x 700 mm

KV-1S tank ground contact surface: 4400 x 650 mm

Experience when using KV tanks showed that a 50 ton tank overloads the engine and suspension and they break down. This forced the design of the KV-1S tank weighing 42.5 tons. Its engine power, layout, and hull robustness are insignificantly changed compared to the KV-1.

We cannot tell you if the suspension can take 100 tons of recoil, as there is no experience in using guns that cause such a load. A lack of characteristics for this design makes it impossible to determine if it is reasonable to install it into a tank.